USDA Reopens Southern Cattle Trade Gateway Amid Screwworm Control Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to reopen southern border ports for livestock trade between the United States and Mexico, starting with the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry on August 24, 2026. This decision follows a successful joint action plan aimed at controlling and preventing the spread of the New World screwworm (NWS), a significant pest affecting livestock. The USDA has emphasized that every animal entering the port will undergo a thorough inspection to ensure it is free from screwworm infection. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins highlighted the importance of protecting the U.S. from NWS and noted the Trump Administration's commitment to this effort. The closure of these ports over the past year was a necessary measure to control the pest's spread in Mexico and safeguard the American livestock industry. The reopening reflects improvements in animal health monitoring and cooperation among federal, state, local, and industry partners. 
